Bislig mayor axed over anomalous excavator deal

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Mayor Librado Navarro from public office over the anomalous purchase of a P14.75-million hydraulic excavator in July 2012.

Navarro was found guilty of grave misconduct and perpetually barred from the government.

Also ordered dismissed were City Administrator and Bids and Awards Committee chair Charlito Lerog, City Planning Development Coordinator Aprodecio Alba Jr., City Legal Officer Daisy Ronquillo, and City Accountant Raquel Bautista.

The case arose from the purchase of a Komatsu crawler-type hydraulic excavator which the Commission on Audit said was awarded to RDAK Transport Equipment Inc. despite noncompliance with technical specifications. —Vince F. Nonato